Walking and cycling strategy for feedback

A draft strategy that will help the Queenstown Lakes District plan for future walking and cycling improvements in its communities is available for feedback, QLDC transportation and planning manager Denis Mander said.

The council required a strategy in order to qualify for Land Transport New Zealand funding for projects currently not covered by the Wakatipu Trails Strategy or the Upper Clutha Walking and Cycling Strategy.

“The wider benefit is gaining an umbrella strategy that will help us better plan for the future. There is no question that this mode of travel is becoming more important in our district both in terms of recreation and walking and cycling commuter traffic,” Mr Mander said.

The draft strategy contained six targets which included increasing the number of journey to work walking and cycling trips and increasing the number of walking and cycling trips made to school.

“While part of this will be the provision of easy, safe and secure trails, the strategy is also concerned about developing good standards of walking and cycling facilities in our urban areas,” Mr Mander said.

The draft strategy was available from council offices, libraries district-wide.

Feedback on the draft was open until Friday, 11 July, 2008.